‘A Happy Thing To Do’: Community theater in Skokie empowers those with developmental disabilities

Standing onstage before a crowded audience in the Skokie Public Library this spring, members of Orchard Village’s theater program sang about Chicago, acted out riding the bus, and waved ribbons to simulate fireworks bursting over Navy Pier. 

The show was the latest performance put on by the local nonprofit that provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities, and a product of the program the Village of Skokie’s Fine Arts Commission selected to receive its 2026 Fine Art Programming Grant. 

“I just love drama club. I liked … ‘la la la la la la’ — the singing,” said Sandra Elliott, one of Orchard Village’s clients and performers. 

Rachel Tamer, Orchard Village’s director of behavioral health, said the nonprofit’s Standing Ovations theater troupe provides a therapeutic opportunity for participants to express their creativity, connect with each other and “get their emotions out.”

It is one of a variety of programs run by the nonprofit that, according to its webpage, formed in 1972 and serves more than 300 people in the area.

Besides therapeutic services, the nonprofit oversees residential care, a transitional school, daily programming, seasonal events and parties, and regular advocacy work, Tamer said. 

Leading up to performances, participants meet in the nonprofit’s gymnasium once a week to run through vocal exercises, practice improve scenes, sing and dance, said Carly Bell, Orchard Village’s therapeutic recreation manager. 

The group, which had 13 participants this year, then collaborated on a theme for a public performance. This year’s subject — Chicago — highlighted casino card games, police officers, the city’s public transit system and popular food, Bell said. 

Bell said she heard from Orchard Village clients interested in a previous version of its theater program soon after she joined the nonprofit in 2022. She and Tamer secured a contract with Chicago’s Still Point Theatre Collective and have now put on three shows since early 2025.  

The performance on May 1 at the Skokie Public Library had a packed audience, Carly said, adding that the troupe will likely take a hiatus before scheduling another. 

Tamer said the strong turnout at the event, along with the $5,000 grant awarded to Orchard Village by the Skokie, is “incredibly helpful” as the nonprofit works to further uplift its clients and programming.

“Seeing actors grow in confidence and ownership of the roles is incredibly rewarding in how they support each other through that,” Bell said.

“And the inclusion of it is awesome I think, showing the community that. It just expands who can participate.”

Elliott said she had never acted before getting involved with the Standing Ovations program. But now that she’s got a feel for it, she wants to continue with it.

“I really want to do the drama club because it’s like, I want to act. I want to be an actor. And I just loved it and now I’m going to keep on going,” Elliott said. “It’s a happy thing to do.”

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